The SCAR Project

New York fashion photographer David Jay is seeking to update the face of breast cancer awareness from frothy pink to strikingly honest pictures of the women scarred by mastectomy surgery.

His message: “Breast cancer is not a pink ribbon.”

Although Jay began shooting The SCAR Project primarily as an awareness raising campaign, he was not prepared for something much more immediate . . . and beautiful: “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride."

More SCAR Project photos

The 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Code Magazine has the scoop on one of my favorite, can't-miss-it-on-tv fashion shows, including backstage twitter pics.

I watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show since the days when Tyra Banks strutted her stuff. Now I watch to see the conceptual outfits, the model walks, and how things are styled together. It gives me inspiration to shoot.

I wish I was there, and I can't wait until it airs on tv, so I'm not even looking at all the photos, so I can still be surprised.

Code Magazine Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011

Photography Porn – The Canon 1DX

I get the same feeling when I look at this camera body as I do when I look at Beyonce (is that strange?).

Both are two things I will never hold in my hands.

Canon announced its new flagship camera the 1DX. Others will wait its release, I will simply daydream about what it would be like to hold in my hands (much like Beyonce), and then move on with my life.

Early stats:

Marks a merger of the 1D and 1Ds lines
Reduced 18MP full frame sensor – theoretically better noise performance
Up to ISO 204,800! Wow – this is a first
Increased 12fps continuous shooting rate (14 in jpeg!)
New simplified autofocus system with 6 presets
Basic HD video specs, but no 1080p/60fps like some competitors
3 processors: 2 Digic 5s + 1 Digic 4
HDR image making mode combines images automatically

Read more on Aputure

Esquire Magazine November 2011 - Rhianna

My love for this woman has been well documented here, so few things could have made me happier than receiving the November issue of Esquire in the mail last week, and seeing Rhianna on the cover. Thank God it wasn't raining that day, which is when all my magazines seem to be delivered.

Rhianna is able to give us "more" while showing "less" and without looking trashy.
Images by celebrity photographer Russell James.

Video:

Getting out, and the Aveder Outfit

Recap...during the summer, I happened upon a talented and interesting guy named Cleon Grey, and his blog called the Aveder Outfit, (which he seems to be discontinuing to pursue a new project). What drew me in was a fantastic shot of R&B singer Solange he took at a ASH NYC shoe in store event. I then tuned in to read about style, fashion, and video interviews of artistic and creative people.

I absolutely love this blog and his use of imagery and smart typography. I reached out to him and he's a cool, pleasant, and talkative dude. I will stay in contact to report on his up coming works.

Look at his past projects and interviews while the site is still up! www.avederoutfit.com/

11*1*11 - Overcoming anixety and New Beginnings

So many "ones" today, it might as well be the beginning of something...

Thank you to whoever stuck with me (and the blog) during my troubled times. My health problems seem to be on the decline, which is good, because then I can concentrate on getting outside, shooting some interesting subjects, and living my life to make interesting blog posts.

You would think that being cooped up in the house I would have had dozens of posts, but my heart wasn't in posting for the sake of posting, and I didn't want this space to be used as a "dear diary" type of thing. I was under so much strain from anxiety, it was all I could do to remain "normal".

I will speak about my experiences at a later date; I want to use them to help others who are looking for answers like me.

I will recap more things that I neglected to post about in the coming weeks.

The The Kardashian Sisters + Annie Leibovitz

A short Behind the scenes video of the Kardashian sisters photo shoot for their Sears line by controversial celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Crazy stuff for a Good Cause

Andy Samberg, Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and other comedians recreating some classic Star Wars scenes to help benefit "Stand Up to Cancer".

T Shirts- Harlem Nights

A hilarious T shirt that wasn't in my size when I saw it earlier this summer. Digital Gravel, once was my own private t shirt stash, is now so popular that I can't find my size at all.

I love the Hip Hop update by adding Cazal frames on them.

The Proprpostur Style Book

I came across this video by ProprPostur, featuring a moving fashion lookbook.

Proprpostur Style Book s/s 2011 from Propr Postur on Vimeo.

Seeing a well made video like this makes me want to shoot even more, and makes me wish I had a 7D. Hello? Canon?

My Lens-Abram Tymeek

I promised last month to show the photos form my shoot with Abram.



We shot outside a renovated church in one of my favorite locations, Northern Liberties, because of the cool modern feel of the new buildings, and the red bricks and Italian themed architecture, hip spots, and free parking. I liked the colors of the brick and green shutters, and the wide doors, but Abram wandered to the alley on the side and we found a heap of demolished rubble and beautiful lighting leaking through. I love "happy accidents"

East Coast Earthquake 2011

The first earthquake since the 1960's struck Virginia yesterday and I barely noticed.

I thought it was construction equipment shaking the ground!

What is worse is the West coast laughing at us and our little quake...smh

ER, Greys Anatomy, Hawthorne...

I have been away from the blog for most of July because of some persistent medical problems. Fortunately, my symptoms haven't been life threatening, although it felt like I was having a heart attack, prompting a couple ER visits.

Everything was fine, and now that I switched doctors, I'm hoping that I will begin to feel like my old self (but better!) again.

Get Used To Hearing “NO”.

Something I can relate to a little too much..

If you’re already a professional photographer or filmmaker, then you know that you had to hear a lot of “no” for every “yes”. If you’re not yet a pro, or perhaps more importantly if you are a pro whose enjoyed a taste of success, then hear this: Get Used To Hearing “No”.

But this isn’t a bad thing. “No” serves several functions.

1. Let “no” serve as a motivator. If you don’t win a gig from an agency or a magazine, if you lose it to another photographer, vow to win the next one. Make a plan for how to do it different, better than you did last time. Make new photos, prepare, hone your vision, whatever it takes.

2. Let “no” keep out the other people who don’t want it as bad as you do. Remember, when you’re hearing “no”, so is almost everyone else. When other artists hear “no” too much, they quit, defeated, never to return again. Don’t let that be you. When you hear “no”, let it remind you of this little post.

Read more here at Chase Jarvis' blog.

Summer Time Flying...

It happens every year; the event I call the "Summertime Speed Up", where time starts flying mid June, and doesn't stop until August 31st, or whenever you start school. Before you know it, the summer months shoot by while you were busy working, complaining about the heat, taking care of kids, and you didn't take advantage of it.

I'm in the midst of it now as I'm trying to redesign this blog, organize some photo shoots, take care of my health, work, and have fun in the warm weather all at the same time.

I'll be posting some upcoming photos from my last shoot with Abram Tymeek.

KING Magazine June 2011 - Amber Rose Cover

When I see Amber Rose, 3 thoughts come to mind...

I have yet to hear Amber Rose's voice. I have never heard her talk in 2 years.

How did she is stay famous without Kanye, and without ever doing anything other than modeling.

Why does she look disinterested in some of her photos? Like she's going through the motions, but doesn't really care.

I swore off KING when they switched from an editorial mag to a pictorial one. KING was our "Black GQ" and I was angry with its loss...and yet I still couldn't stay away from this book.

Once I saw the photos inside I had to have it. I loved the slightly overexposed lighting and the natural looking muted make up. This was shot by photographer Charlie Langella, and he really brought the best of out of her. This shoot was very different than most of the photo sets I've seen of her. She looks adorable and sexy without the usual pin up girl "posing."



Ok Amber, you got my attention again!

2 Years...Remembering Micheal Jackson

Since the death of the King of Pop, I have always played a mix created by DJ Lil Dave, of Eavesdrop Radio. I love the album cover in my ipod and you get a lot of variety, including the new version (without Wil.i.am) of PYT and Eyrkah Badu's and the Roots version of I Wanna Be Where You Are

This goes perfect with watching all of Micheal's creative music videos all weekend.

Listen and download here

American Dreaming Magazine Cover May 2011

I though this was an interesting treatmnet for a cover. It made me stop and read it, and wonder about my next doctor's appointment

Follow them on twitter and learn more here

Glamour Magazine Cover: Olivia Wilde

There are so many nice magazine covers this month!

Actress Olivia Wilde is on the cover of the June issue of Glamour magazine. The media loves her; I know her name, but don't remember her in anything I've seen. Olivia changes her look so dramatically I never recognize her. Not even in Tron: Legacy.

I loved the blown out background against her pale skin, the pop of color in her red shorts and lipstick and the causal expression on her face. I must learn how to direct models to look so natural!

Penn Relays 2011

I've been disappointed going the Penn Relays the past few years. Why? because I haven't been getting good seats.

I have no one to blame but myself. I know the Penn Relays are coming every April. So why don't I get good seats so I can be close to the action?

The same reason I can't run in the Relays; because I'm slow as hell. I bought a $40 ticket so I could almost be "Bill Cosby close", like I was that glorious year in 2006. I almost didn't have to use a zoom lens to capture athletes running by me. But I was slow this year; by the time I got to the stadium, all the seats were taken, I had to walk up higher and higher till I was practically sitting with the "commoners" in the $20 seats.

I won't make that mistake next year. I'm getting a press pass so I can get on the field and up close with the Olympians.

Nike had their tent in the courtyard inside and it featured stations where you could have your photo taken on the track, customize your own sneakers or track jacket, and even get a shape up. Only in Philly.

Inside the Studio 2011 - ?uestlove

In May I was excited to attend another session of Inside the Studio with The Roots drummer Amir "Questlove" Thompson. Since I love his music, writing, wit, and personality, I knew he would make for an interesting interview.

Shout out to Stacy Flygirl Wilson and her team (Laiya, Afrodjiak) for giving me interesting things to do on a Sunday night.

Read more at ItsTheLife

Vanity Fair June Issue: Katy Perry

I love Katy Perry. She has a lot of personality, and seems ready with a smart answer for anything you might say. She is on the cover of June's Vanity Fair, beating out Gwen Stefani (barely) in the pale-skin-red-lipstick category. She is so energetic, yet sexy in a girl next door type of way.



Katy is shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz in Paris, France.